With just a few keystrokes, anyone with Internet access can find pirated movies and TV shows. However, an Internet connection isn’t always necessary. In Ghana, TV stations are broadcasting pirated films, leading to a government warning.
Copyright infringement is a global problem, and Ghana is no exception. As broadband access increases, the country’s online piracy rate has surged by 100% in the last five years.
Even households without good Internet can unintentionally contribute to the problem. Local TV stations are found to be broadcasting films without the rightsholders’ permission.
TV-Sponsored Piracy
This kind of piracy by TV stations is not new. Similar incidents have been reported worldwide, such as in Iran, where state TV aired pirated movies without removing watermarks. Most viewers cannot tell whether a broadcaster has a proper license.
Pirating TV Channels
In Ghana, unauthorized broadcasts are also a concern. Multiple reports suggest TV stations are airing films without proper licenses, affecting international films and Nigeria’s ‘Nollywood’ productions.
Last year, Nigerian actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri highlighted this issue, urging Ghana to cease unlicensed film broadcasts and threatening legal action.
“I love the country, but I am disappointed that a major TV station in Ghana would use my content without a license. This is the first and last warning; next time, you’ll hear from my lawyers,” Kadiri warned.
Film Authority Issues Warning
While no legal actions have been taken, the Ghanaian government took note. The National Film Authority (NFA) issued a public notice to TV stations, citing complaints from global film distributors about unlicensed broadcasts.
The NFA’s notice stated that broadcasting films without authorization from copyright owners is a copyright infringement, which can lead to civil and criminal penalties.
Ghanaian TV stations must review their schedules to ensure all films are licensed and immediately stop airing any unlicensed content.
It remains to be seen if this warning will have an impact, but authorities are clearly vigilant.
